Upcoming Book , ,

Christmas is Coming

Dayo Benson

ImageIt’s less than six weeks until Christmas and as usual I am nowhere near ready. I don’t even have a Christmas list yet. But I do have a Christmas novella that I will be releasing soon called Season of Hope, so I haven’t been completely slacking off. I’ve just been too busy writing.

Christmas makes me think of Jesus, innocent babies, roast dinners and Sister Act 2. I can’t tell you how many times I have watched Sister Act 2. It’s on every Christmas, but I never get tired of it. It’s one of my favourite feel-good movies.

Anyway, here’s the synopsis for my upcoming Christmas novella:

‘Tis the season of love and understanding…

Last Christmas, Robyn Kellett was distraught because her fiancé broke up with her. This Christmas promises to be even worse as Chad Ryder, the man she loved as a naïve eighteen-year old, resurfaces with an invitation to come to a university reunion in Blackpool. Robyn’s only hope of having a merry Christmas is the mysterious man she talks to every night online. They have a date for Christmas Eve, and Robyn hopes he’s as perfect in real life as he seems on the Internet.

Chad Ryder needs Robyn to come to Blackpool. It’s the only chance he has to win her heart before she finds out that the man she’s been falling in love with online for the past six months is none other than him.

At Blackpool, Robyn is infuriated by all of Chad’s efforts to win her heart, and Chad is frustrated with her constant resistance. As Christmas Eve draws near, Chad hopes for forgiveness for his deception, and Robyn hopes for the man of her dreams. Will either of them get what they want?

This is my first novella. I found it harder to write a novella than a full novel, believe it or not. I’m the kind of writer who constantly goes beyond my wordcount so writing a short story wasn’t easy. But I managed it. I hope it gets you in the mood for Christmas!

Book Reviews Pure Passion Series , , ,

Books Similar to Lust (Pure Passion Series)

Dayo Benson

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to give me feedback on my latest book, Lust (Pure Passion Series). To be honest I wasn’t sure how it was going to be received as it’s very different to anything I’ve written so far. I’m so glad you guys are liking it.

I’m hard at work on the next book in the Pure Passion Series. At the moment it’s called ‘Bondage’ but that might change. I can tell you that the main character, Savannah McPherson, is on the run from the organisation she works for. While in hiding, she runs into her first (and only) love, Rhys Cannon. I have already fallen in love with their story and I hope you will too.

I’ve been asked about books that are similar to Lust, so here are few books that I think you might like to read while you wait for your next ‘fix’ of the Pure Passion series (:-)):

Product DetailsThe Jewel Series by Hallee Bridgeman

So far, I’m only about halfway through the first book of the series, Sapphire Ice. It’s quite good and features a deeply troubled protagonist who was abused as a child and finds healing through love. The romance in this book is beautiful. It’s a Cinderella story (poor hard working girl meets rich guy) and Hallee proves that clean romance can still have passion. The other books in the series are Greater than Rubies, Emerald Fire, and Topaz Heat.

The Atonement ChildAtonement Child by Francine Rivers

I’m in no way comparable to the great Francine Rivers, she’s amazing, but this book is about the tough decision a young woman faces about whether or not to have an abortion after she was raped. To be honest, I never did finish this book because a friend gave me a summary of what happens and totally ruined it for me. I was happy though because I needed to stop reading and get back to writing.

Product DetailsLetting Go by Michelle Sutton

I recently reviewed this book on my blog. Click Here to read my review. Again, the main character has lived a troubled life and it’s great to follow her journey to healing.

 

 

The Retreat

The Retreat by Dijorn Moss

I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. It was sooooo good. The four main characters are men, which is pretty different from the books I usually read. I had a lot of laugh out loud moments, especially about the super ‘holy’ character who just didn’t have a clue.

This book deals with purity, relationship issues, and being a man of God, but you won’t feel alienated reading it as a woman. In fact, it gives you some insight into how guys think. And while the retreat the men in this book go on is not a sexual healing retreat, like in my book, you’ll still get a few thoughts on purity, such as: ‘when the Scripture talks about putting on the whole armour of God, the first thing you are to put on is a belt to hold your pants up. Christian men should never be caught with their pants down. We have to cut off the door of infidelity and fornication.’ Ha ha, I think that is my favourite part of the whole book. I’d say give it a chance. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Book Reviews ,

Book Review: Letting Go by Michelle Sutton

Dayo Benson

I haven’t done a book review for a while so I thought it’s about time I got my act together. This week I finished reading Letting Go by Michelle Sutton. I’ve only just discovered Michelle’s books. I have my favourite authors and I usually just stick to them because I know I won’t be disappointed, but I’m so glad I gave Michelle a chance. She’s edgy and very real. She doesn’t tread soft at all. But she still manages not to be yucky or embarrassing, if you know what I mean. She covers sensitive issues with taste.

I haven’t reviewed a book on Amazon for a while, but immediately I finished reading ‘Letting Go’, I got onto Amazon because it just had to be reviewed. So I’m going to kill two birds with one stone and paste my Amazon review below:

I don’t even know where to begin. This story was so beautiful. Diane went through so much pain and heartbreak, it was horrible. I just couldn’t wait for things to start getting better for her.
Her relationship with Dave is sweet and real. The author didn’t gloss over anything but was so real about how a Christian couple can struggle to stay pure. I loved that because it ain’t always easy!!!

I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I loved Diane’s road to healing. I loved Dave’s character and his insecurities. I loved Joleen, who wasn’t meant to be liked but I liked her anyway because I felt like Diane met her match a little with her. Anyway, at the beginning of the book I couldn’t wait for Diane and Dave to meet because I wanted to see how on earth Diane would go from where she was at to being able to have a healthy relationship. I wasn’t disappointed. It was so sweet.

I’m glad I have discovered this author because life isn’t always rainbows and kittens like a lot of Christian fiction portrays it. If you want realism and a story about how God brings healing and beauty out of brokenness then read this book.

Here’s the official book synopsis:

Sometimes for dreams to come true, you have to let go . . .

Outwardly Diane Simmons appears to have everything a woman could want. A successful attorney, she’s beautiful and talented, and yet she always seems to be attracted to the wrong men. Longing to be loved for who she is, not for what she looks like, she finally realizes the world’s view of love is totally unrealistic and distorted and gives up on romance. She wants to find a better way but has no clue where to look.

Dave Passel can never father a biological child. He loves his foster son deeply, but something goes terribly wrong before the adoption can be finalized. When the State tries to reunite the child with the birth mother he has never known and the new caseworker accuses Dave of sabotaging visits with her, he hires Diane to fight for him in court. He believes in God’s sovereignty, but bad experiences with his late wife make it hard for him to trust Diane as she advocates for his son. If only he didn’t struggle so much with letting go . . .

Final Words: If you’re going to read the book, give it a chance as Michelle builds it up for a few chapters first, setting the scene. David and Diane don’t meet for a while. But all the build up is necessary.

God bless xx

Uncategorized

New Release

Dayo Benson

Very happy to announce that book number 7, Lust (Pure Passion Series), is out. Here’s the synopsis:

lustbookcover

Grace begins where human efforts fail. 

Noémi Casson has booked herself on a sexual healing retreat after struggling in silence for seven years. It was just a matter of time before she gave in to the demons that have plagued her almost her whole life, and wholeness seems unattainable. 

David Steel is living the perfect life, now that he’s sworn off women. Hard work and long hours are all the companion he needs—until Noémi comes crashing into his life and disturbs his steady equilibrium. 

David is convinced that his love is all the healing Noémi needs. 

Noémi is convinced that David must be delusional. 

As Noémi allows God to work on her, she begins to see herself and her problems in a new light. But just when all seems to be going well the unthinkable happens, and Noémi doesn’t know whether to focus on saving her relationship with David or saving herself. Will she learn to trust God’s purpose, or will she give in to the temptation to do things her own way?

You can get it on Amazon and Smashwords and will soon be available on Kobo.

Hope you enjoy reading it. And, as always, I look forward to your feedback xx

Pure Passion Series , , ,

Upcoming Book

Dayo Benson

ImageI am very pleased to share the cover of my upcoming book with you. As usual, it was designed by my lovely husband and I absolutely love it. He really is a genius.

I’m currently editing the manuscript. My editor came back with lots of things for me to change or at least look closely at and I have to reduce the wordcount by 25%. This is so painful because I slaved over every word and now I have to remove chunks that I slaved over (arrgh!!!). But I know it’s for the best. I hate editing my work though. Writing is the fun part. Editing is too much like work.

The unedited synopsis of the book is:

David Steel is living the perfect life, now that he’s sworn off women. Hard work and long hours are all the companion he needs. Until Noémi comes crashing into his life and disturbs his steady equilibrium.

Noémi Casson has booked herself on a sexual healing retreat after struggling in silence for fifteen years. She’s done her best to contain herself, but it was just a matter of time before she gave in to her demons. Giving in was easy, and even felt right—at the time. It’s the aftermath that is painful.

David is convinced that his love is all the healing Noémi needs.

Noémi is convinced that David must be delusional.

As Noémi allows God to work on her, she begins to see herself and her problems in a new light. But just when all seems to be going well the unthinkable happens and Noémi’s private sin becomes public knowledge. Noémi doesn’t know whether to focus on saving her relationship with David or saving herself. It’s all she can do to stay sane!

Let me introduce you to some of the characters:

Noémi Casson – the main character of the novel is a child abuse survivor. She’s seeking healing as her scars run deep. She meets David and isn’t sure whether to take a chance on him since he’s so obviously out of her league.

David Steel – David tries to be patient and accommodating with Noémi, but how much can he take? He loves her but her self-hatred continually gets in the way.

Aaron Cass – Aaron is a temptation that Noémi has fallen for before and he’s out to floor her again.

Kadeigh Lovell – Kadeigh attends the same healing retreat that Noémi attends. She’s feisty and outspoken and she whips Noémi into shape near the end of the book.

Rita Moorcroft – Rita is Noémi’s best friend but Noémi is forced to reevaluate their friendship when she gets into trouble and Rita gives her some dubious advice.

On a completely different note, here’s a picture of the pretty little addition to our family, Esther Shola ImageBenson. She was born last week and she’s adorable. Me, my husband and our other daughter, Rhema, are absolutely smitten with her 🙂

Anyway, I better get back to editing xx

Pure Passion Series Purity , ,

Cravings & A Quote

Dayo Benson

plumsHi everyone,

I’ve been really busy the last few weeks with writing and preparing for our new baby which is due very soon (can’t wait!). I went for my graduation last week and it was fabulous apart from the fact that my daughter wouldn’t stop acting up and it was really embarrassing. It was a hot day and I think she was just sick of the heat. There was also the fact that my mum and dad came with us and she knows she can get away with anything around them. Oh, well. I really enjoyed the day, but it wasn’t easy with my huge bump. And my constant thirst for ice-cold water. And constant cravings for plums. Seriously, the picture above is making me hungry…

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to share a quote with you. I came across it when I was doing some research for the next book, which I actually finished writing last week (woohoo!!!). The book is about a woman who goes on a healing retreat to connect with God and learn how to overcome the things that have happened to her in the past. It’s tentatively titled ‘lust’ although that might change because it’s a bit ‘in your face,’ lol. I’ll do a post introducing the book and the main characters soon. Anyway, here’s the quote (it’s long but makes so much sense):

“Lust is not the result of an overactive sex drive; it is not a biological phenomenon or the by-product of our glands. If it were, then it could be satisfied with a sexual experience, like a glass of water quenches thirst or a good meal satisfies appetite. But the more we attempt to appease our lust, the more demanding it becomes. There is simply not enough erotica in the world to satisfy lust’s insatiable appetite. When we deny our lustful obsessions, we are not repressing a legitimate drive. We are putting to death an aberration. Lust is to the gift of sex what cancer is to a normal cell. Therefore, we deny it, not in order to become sexless saints, but in order to be fully alive to God, which includes the full and uninhibited expression of our sexual being within the God-given context of marriage.” – Richard Exley, quoted in Homemade, Vol. 13, No. 9, September, 1989.

He says it much better than I ever could so I might just pop this at the beginning of the book. I think the quote is spot on. What do you think?

Pure Passion Series Purity , ,

Moving on to New Books

Dayo Benson

ImageMay was a busy month!!! My brother got married (yay!) and I had to submit my Masters dissertation. I am so glad I have finally finished writing my dissertation. Now I can get back to the kind of writing that I really love!!!

Now that I’m done with Drew Ashley I am working on a new book about a girl who thinks she is a sex addict!!! She was abused as a child and engaged in all kinds of destructive behaviour as a coping mechanism, but even as an adult she is finding that she still struggles. The book starts with her as an adult and she has booked herself into a sexual healing retreat where she is hoping to find restoration. It sounds bizarre, I know. My husband just shakes his head when I tell him the plots for my books. Understandably so.

It’s also a love story, but I don’t want to give too much away. I love the hero in the this book. He’s understanding and accommodating, and all the things that a wounded woman needs. Obviously their relationship is not going to be all smooth sailing and there are a few twists.

My prayer right now is that I write this book in a way that does it justice, because I really do love the story. I guess that’s every writer’s concern. It’s one thing to have a good storyline, but how you deliver it is equally as important. I struggled with writing this one at first because I have only ever written in the first person, but this book is in the third person. Also, I have only ever written from one point of view, but this book is from two points of view so it’s been a bit tough getting to grips with writing differently. But I think I’m cool with it now. One good thing is that it’s set in England so I don’t have to research another culture.

I can’t wait to finish writing it and see what you all think.

God bless xx

Drew Ashley Series , , ,

New Book!!! Blurred Vision

Dayo Benson

bv3I am pleased to announce that the second, and last, installment of Drew Ashley’s story is now available. It’s called Blurred Vision. Let me know what you think when you’ve read it.

I’m so excited to have completed another project. Writing about Drew has been so different from other main characters I have written about. I feel that Drew has been the most ‘normal’ of the bunch although she’s not really all that normal with her ability to see visions. Dana was very rebellious and Lexi was very resistant to God. I guess Drew’s defining traits are her female empowerment views and her ambitious personality.

Drew grows a lot in this book. You get to find out what happens with Kale (does she forgive him after the Gordon incident???), Harvey (does she like him or not???), and Drew’s friendship with Jazz (do they make up or hate each other forever???). You also get to find out who killed Travis. If you work out ‘whodunit’ before it’s revealed I want to know, lol.

Hope you enjoy reading Drew’s story xx

Read Blurred Vision Now

Book Reviews

Goodbye Kristin Billerbeck – Book Review

Dayo Benson

I just read some very sad news: Kristin Billerbeck, THE Christian chicklit author, is capping her pen!!! Or shutting down her laptop, if you prefer that expression. This is such a big deal to me because her books had a huge impact on me when I was 19 and was writing my first novel. I read ‘What a Girl Wants’ and it inspired me to write my own books. I cannot believe she is quitting writing! I mean, she is the queen of Christian Chicklit. Seriously. I am so gutted (sorry American readers if you’re not familiar with that word, it just means sad or upset).

At the moment, I work in Human Resources and I am doing a Masters on the side. My dissertation is due soon and it’s really getting on my nerves because I am sick of studying, writing exams, doing assignments, etc. I feel like I’ve been studying all my life. When will it end? I want to write. I love writing, it’s my passion, but I don’t really take myself very seriously as a writer yet. I’m like Lexi in Raw Deal at the moment. She’s a model, but not a proper model, although she wants to be. I hope to be a ‘proper writer’ one day i.e. write for a living.

Being a full time writer is my idea of heaven. Wake up, write, eat, write, listen to music and dance around the house a bit (for exercise you see), write, sleep, write, hang out with the husband and kids, write, go to church, write. You get the point. This is what Ms Billerbeck has been doing for YEARS. Why would she give it up? She says she wants an office job! Why??? It seems she is where I want to be and I am where she wants to be. I want to beg her not to do it. She can’t stop writing. What will the genre of Christian Chicklit do without her? There are others like her, but they’re not her. Ms Billerbeck is witty, and name-drops people in her books that I have no idea who they are. It makes me do research (God bless Google). I would never have heard about Hugh Jackman if not for ‘What a Girl Wants.’ (I know, I live on my own planet). So when Les Miserables came out recently I was like ‘oh yeah, Hugh Jackman, I know who that is,’ and no one knew that I knew him from a Christian book instead of from the movies.

Okay, dramatic reaction over. This news is very sobering for me because maybe life as a full-time author isn’t the bed of roses I imagine. I guess times are tough right now in every industry, and Ms Billerbeck says in her blog that she’s looking forward to a steady paycheck. Maybe it’s a good thing I’m doing this Masters. Maybe it’s better to just keep my job and keep writing on the side. So sad.

Well, to say farewell to Ms Billerbeck, I will now proceed to review the first series of hers that I read. I read the books a while ago so I don’t really remember everything about them, but I will just say a few words about each.

ImageWhat a Girl Wants

This book is funny. I had a few laugh out loud moments. I felt bad for the main character, Ashley, because she wanted Seth so badly and he is just like a brick wall. Okay, I know some guys can be clueless, but Seth is beyond clueless. And he is soo annoying. Who watches the Matrix all the time? I know it’s got special effects and all those things that guys think are ‘cool’ but c’mon. Yeah, keep watching the Matrix while everyone around you is getting married and moving on in life. Anyway, the other love interest is really nice, and looks like Hugh Jackman, and is a doctor, and all that. But not saved. I wasn’t sure which of the guys I preferred. I just wanted Ashley to be happy and she seemed to like Seth better so I was hoping Seth would switch off the Matrix long enough to notice her. (I could not stand to look at a Matrix DVD after reading this book. Seth’s instant messaging name is even matrixman…oh please!).

ImageShe’s Out of Control

This is the sequel to ‘What a Girl Wants.’ I liked this book but I got really frustrated with Seth. I wanted to shake him. It was in this book that I realised that Seth is actually supposed to be cute. Eww. Let us know when you finish watching the Matrix, Seth. Oh, actually he does stop watching the Matrix long enough to do something really annoying. I couldn’t believe he did it. Before doing this thing I thought he was just clueless. After he did this thing I just wanted him out of the book. As in, I am not wasting any eye energy reading about this man. If I see his name on the page I am just going to skip over it. He’s so mean. Although, I suppose he can’t help who he loves. I mean, if that’s God’s will for him, good for him.

ImageWith this Ring I’m Confused

So, our Ashley is finally engaged, but to which man? Seth ‘matrixman’ Greenwood, or the doctor whose name I forget right now? Ashley is planning her wedding, and her in-laws to be are really awful to her. In books 1 and 2 of this series Ashley is a strong woman, but in this book she’s this weak person that I didn’t recognize at all. I wished she would stand up to her in laws to be. Then her fiance tells her he wants them to move across the country and the way he says it leaves much to be desired. I didn’t like it because by the time I got around to reading this book it was years after I’d read the first two and I was married to someone who was born and raised in another part of the world. He only came to England to do a Masters, but aren’t I glad he came or how would we have met? We didn’t talk about what would become of ‘us’ once his time here was up because I didn’t want to think about the possibility of moving out of England (unless it was to Hawaii or Barbados or something, lol). We had to have the talk when we started talking about marriage and it was really sensitive and required both of us to be understanding and selfless. If my husband had spoken to me the way Ashley’s fiance speaks to her, I would have felt awful. So, I felt sorry for Ashley. But I also thought, ‘girl just go with him.’ Ashley really needed to get away from Silicon Valley and her workaholic lifestyle anyway.

Last Words

In summary this series is really good. I don’t think Ashley is someone to be emulated because she is a bit selfish sometimes (aren’t we all) and very materialistic, but she is funny and you do feel sorry for her. She also seemed to have a problem with Asians, which was pretty shocking, but this changed when her brother married an Asian woman. You really need to know your celebrities to read this series. I don’t so I had to keep Googling things. I got the Halle Berry joke though. Even I know who she is, lol.

Kristin Billerbeck, your writing will be missed. Thank you for inspiring this British writer who wishes she had half your wit.

God bless.

Beauty for Ashes Series

Going Au Naturel

Dayo Benson

beautyIn Red Carpet, Lexi has a break from her work as a model and enjoys just relaxing in her dad’s old shirts and a pair of worn sweatpants:

I flung off my Nike sneakers and sprawled out on Monica’s couch. It felt good to hang out in old sweatpants, one of my dad’s old shirts, and no makeup. I felt more like me. The blond-haired woman with the sultry smile that I saw on TV and smiling from magazine covers was not me. (Red Carpet – beauty for ashes book 2, by Dayo Benson).

I had a taste of this last week, but I didn’t think anything of it until Thursday when a friend told me about an email she received that listed the signs of stress. One of the items on the list was ‘lack of interest in your physical appearance.’ It made me laugh because all week I’d been au naturel. I always am anyway, but this was even more so. I didn’t bother with straightening my hair even once, I didn’t bother with all my special lotions, I didn’t bother with my nightly skincare routine. Each morning I just slapped on some moisturizer and the first outfit I laid my hands on and that was that (usually I consider a few different outfits before settling on one and my husband just doesn’t get why I do it. I don’t get it either tbh).

So, I tried to dig deep and work out if my sudden change was because of any kind of stress. It really wasn’t. I just couldn’t be bothered. And it was a conscious decision because nice hair means at least an additional 10 minutes in front of the mirror, and nice clothes means I have to iron, or colour code, or dig out a matching handbag, etc. And dewy skin means Lancome gets more of my money than they should. Thankfully they’ve stopped making the product I swear by so I’m delivered. (For those of you who want to know it was the T Zone gel).

And guess how I felt last week as I went about my daily business with my au naturel look? I felt so FREE!!!

I doubt it’ll last long though. It a woman’s nature to want to look somewhat nice. Either that or we’ve been conditioned to think we’ve got to look a certain way. Whatever it is, I’m not immune so I know I’ll be whipping out my hair products and everything soon, but it’s good to know I own those things, they don’t own me!

I think that sometimes it’s too easy for women to hide behind hair and makeup and stylish clothing. And I think it’s sad that society tries to equate our worth with how we appear. Okay, if I didn’t bother looking my absolute best today, why does that matter? It really shouldn’t. Should it?

Ladies, any similar experiences? Or do you feel more yourself after you’ve gone through the whole rigmarole? Lol.

God bless xx